Sensor capsule mounting
First Claim
1. A mounting means for a sensor capsule of a precision integrated silicon accelerometer comprising:
- a sensor capsule located in said accelerometer;
an alignment pin for mounting said capsule and providing large torsional stiffness so that a natural frequency of said capsule about a major axis of said alignment is greater than 2000 Hertz; and
two flex pins for mounting said capsule and providing stiffness in a vertical plane while allowing flexibility in two horizontal directions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for effectively mounting a silicon sensor capsule within a stainless steel, or other similar material, housing of an accelerometer comprises an alignment pin and two flex pins. The alignment pin provides torsional stiffness, while the flex pins provide stiffness in a vertical plane. The apparatus is capable of being used within different housings having different temperature coefficients of expansion. The mounting pins maintain accurate alignment of the sensor capsule without inducing stress into the capsule. Such stress could easily cause bias or misalignment errors which are undesirable in navigation of aircraft or missiles, two common uses of accelerometers.
15 Citations
5 Claims
-
1. A mounting means for a sensor capsule of a precision integrated silicon accelerometer comprising:
-
a sensor capsule located in said accelerometer; an alignment pin for mounting said capsule and providing large torsional stiffness so that a natural frequency of said capsule about a major axis of said alignment is greater than 2000 Hertz; and two flex pins for mounting said capsule and providing stiffness in a vertical plane while allowing flexibility in two horizontal directions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A mounting means for a sensor capsule whose sensing element is constructed of silicon, said mounting means comprising:
-
an alignment pin for providing large torsional stiffness so that a natural frequency of said capsule about a major axis of said alignment pin is greater than 2000 Hertz; and two flex pins for providing stiffness in a vertical plane while allowing flexibility in two horizontal directions; wherein said mounting means is capable of mounting said sensor capsule to a housing having a different temperature coefficient of expansion without putting undesirable stress into said sensor capsule over a wide range of temperatures.
-
Specification